Category: Executive Profiles

She Persisted: Karen Sessions Takes the Helm at Bank of America Business Capital

Karen Sessions attributes her success in the finance world to refusing to take “no” for an answer. Her career took her to Fleet, Union, Wachovia and Wells Fargo banks before she landed at Bank of America almost five years ago. In November, she was named head of Bank of America Business Capital and Asset-Based Lending. Although she contends she was lucky, her business skills and determination to succeed have propelled her into her current role.

The Right Person in the Right Place: Robert Katz Enables Successful Turnarounds

No company wants to go through a turnaround process. Once the worst has happened, a company often needs the help of not only outside consultants, but lenders and creditors that won’t jump ship at the first sign of trouble. Turnaround professional Robert Katz, winner of this year’s M&A Advisor “Distressed M&A Dealmaker of the Year” award, discusses companies that have hit bottom and how they came out the other side.

New Directions: Bain Capital and Antares Capital Join Forces to Provide Unitranche Lending

Both Bain Capital and Antares Capital have global reputations as investment firms. So there was more than a bit of frisson in the lending world when the two companies announced a joint venture in December. This unique unitranche platform combines the strengths of both companies and provides an unusual opportunity for partnership. Bain Managing Director Michael Ewald and Antares Senior Managing Director Timothy Lyne share their thoughts about the new platform with ABF Journal Editor Nadine Bonner.

Digitalizing ABL Loans and Liquidity: InterNex Capital Marries Technology with Tradition

InterNex Capital was founded by a group of former GE Capital executives and fintech entrepreneurs to bring digitized asset-based lending to the lower mid-market. InterNex Capital brings a “bankable” working capital financing product to small and mid-sized businesses with $1 million to $50 million in revenue. InterNex has blended traditional asset-based lending with new technology.

Creating the Lender Finance Niche: Wells Fargo’s Andrea Petro Looks Back at a Career Filled with Accomplishments

In November, Andrea Petro stepped down as executive vice president and division head of Wells Fargo Capital Finance’s Lender Finance Group — a niche lending product she created and developed more than 20 years ago. As she prepares to move on to the next phase of her life, Petro spoke with ABF Journal editor Nadine Bonner, touching on the highlights of her career and recalling how she thrived on the challenge of being a woman in a man’s business world.

Filling the Void: TradeCap Partners Offers Middle Market Borrowers a Complete Financial Solution

After working together for almost a decade at King Trade Capital, Bryan Ballowe and Clinton Stanton launched TradeCap Partners in July. The pair spoke to ABF Journal Editor Nadine Bonner and explained how they are working to partner with other lenders to provide lower middle market borrowers with complete financing solutions.

Keeping it Under Control: Robert Radway and NXT Capital Keep a Tight Rein on the Finance Business

Robert Radway worked for some of the largest companies in the commercial finance business including The Finova Group and Heller Financial. He founded Merrill Lynch Capital only to see it sold off to GE Capital after the mortgage crisis hit. Determined to take a different path, he built a team of co-workers from his past employers and started NXT Capital, a small company with a large vision that he could more easily control.

Top Priorities for Wells Fargo’s New Head of Capital Finance — Customer Service and Team Building

In May, David Marks was named head of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, which joined the newly-formed Wells Fargo Commercial Capital group in January. In his new position at WFCF, Marks completes a full circle after a 30-year career at the bank, which began by doing workouts in the oil and gas industry. Marks reminisces about his career and shares his vision for the future with ABF Journal editor Nadine Bonner.